Thousands of Bangladeshis Stranded in India Call for Help to Return

Thousands of Bangladeshi nationals, who went to India for treatment and were subsequently left stranded by the lockout of coronavirus in the country, have asked for support from the Bangladesh government to return home.

Treatment for several cases has been discontinued owing to coronavirus, and treatment for even others has been completed but can not come home.

Their problems get harder for them because their funds and stamina run out, and as they want to venture out for medication and food they encounter police brutality.

The stranded citizens are unwilling to take money from home as both countries 'trade ways have remained to a halt. Others don't have the potential to raise profits.

Contacting with Bangladesh High Commission in India, the stuck people did not respond in which they can hope.

Thus their days are passing with uncertainty as they don't know when they can return home. 

So, they want Bangladesh government anyhow bring back home, if it is not possible, help them there

The media spoke to around 20 doctors, and their families stuck there to hear around Bangladeshi's plight.

Around 12 lakh citizens go to Bangladesh to take care in India last year. Most of them go for regular service at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, India and comparatively cheap prices

Aditya Karmaker, a CMC user, said he had completed his care but was unable to travel home owing to India's coronavirus lockout, and his money was about to be spent. Day by day things grows poor and worst for him.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday countrywide 21-day lockdown in an effort to curb the spread of the deadly epidemic, COVID-19 that infected more than 1000 people in the country.

The country also suspended its entire air connectivity with the rest of the world for the same objective, leaving foreigners stuck.

Saiful Islam, who took her ailing mother to CMC on March 5, said his mother was discharged on March 24 before completion of full treatment. 

"Indian government reaches food to its citizens' houses but there are none to take care of us here. If Bangladesh government is not able to bring back us right now, arrange accommodation for us," he said.

"All the money I brought with me ran out. I am in trouble, and today I could manage only rice and pulse to have," said Dhaka College student Sakhawat Hossain who went to India for mother's treatment.

He told this correspondent that he phoned at Bangladesh embassy in India but could not reach. He also contracted Kolkata's mission but they said they have nothing to do. 

Contacting State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam over the phone, he told Jago News they learned about this, and a primary list of stranded people was prepared by Bangladesh mission there. India has stopped its contact of all sorts but Bangladesh is seeking to bring them restored, he said.